Biography of William T. Reeves

William T. Reeves, a prominent lawyer of Idaho, residing at Pocatello, was born at Kinkleville, Kentucky, January 21, 1855, and is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a combination which everywhere and always produces good citizens and has given to America many of her best and greatest men. George Reeves, Mr. Reeves paternal grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and brought his wife with him. They had four sons and three daughters. William Harrison Reeves, Mr. Reeves’ father, was born in Richmond, Virginia, and married Miss Penelope B. White, a native of Tennessee. While he was a mere boy his father removed with his family to Kentucky, and there he was reared and educated and wooed and won his wife. He died at the age of seventy-eight, she at sixty-one, and their neighbors in Kentucky, among whom they passed their busy and useful lives, bore testimony to their high character and the beneficent quality of the influence they exerted upon the community.

William T. Reeves was educated in the common schools and in the college at Blandville, Kentucky. He read law at Blandville, under the direction of an older brother, then established in professional work, and was duly admitted to the bar in 1875. After ten years’ successful practice of his profession in his native state, he took up his residence at Eagle Rock, now Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1885. Eagle Rock was then a leading railway town, and his success there was encouraging, but inducements were made to him to remove to Blackfoot. After ten years at Blackfoot he was for two years at Boise City. In 1894 he located at Pocatello, where he has built up a very satisfactory practice. He has become known throughout the state as a lawyer of effective ability and unswerving integrity. He has some considerable real-estate investments at Pocatello and at Boise City. Mr. Reeves has been a lifelong Democrat, and since coming to Idaho has taken an active and influential interest in state politics. He has been the nominee of his party for the office of district judge, and has twice been nominated for attorney general of the state. In successive campaigns he has done much efficient work for his party and he enjoys a wide reputation as a forceful and convincing speaker on political questions.

Mr. Reeves was married to Miss Jennie T. Thomas, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Quincy Thomas. They have six children: George W., Charles R., Ellen G., Mae, Simrell and William F., Jr. Mrs. Reeves is a member of the Christian church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is past grand of his lodge. He takes a deep interest in every movement at Pocatello tending to the public good and is a liberal supporter of every public project which has the endorsement of his judgment.